Podcasts about Assay

Samedi 5 avril : Etang d’Assay, Champigny-sur-Veude, sud Touraine, Région Centre. 200 à 300 personnes sont venues passer une chouette journée organisée par des membres de la Confédération Paysanne. Et par des gens des Soulèvements de la Terre, (non repérables en tant que tels, puisque non masqué.e.s. Ha, le masque qui révèle, ou pas, cher … Continuer la lecture de « Partie de campagne anti-bassines avec la Confédération Paysanne » Cet article Partie de campagne anti-bassines avec la Confédération Paysanne est apparu en premier sur Polémix et la Voix Off.

Rua Gold. announced the commencement of drilling at the Cumberland gold camp drill target. Maple Gold Mines reported initial assay results from the first five drill holes completed during the 10,000-metre winter drill campaign  at its 100%-owned Douay Gold Project in Québec. West Point Gold announced the most recent drill results from its ongoing drill program at the Tyro Main Zone of the Gold Chain Project in Arizona. GFG Resources announced a private placement of premium flow-through units to raise gross proceeds of up to C$2.5 million. Los Andes Copper is pleased to announce that the Company has expanded its land package by obtaining first-priority exploration claims over new areas within and adjacent to the current property boundaries for Los Andes' Vizcachitas copper project in Chile.This episode of Mining Stock Daily is brought to you by…Integra Resources. Integra is a growing precious metals producer in the Great Basin of the Western United States. Integra is focused on demonstrating profitability and operational excellence at its principal operating asset, the Florida Canyon Mine, located in Nevada. In addition, Integra is committed to advancing its flagship development-stage heap leach projects: the past producing DeLamar Project located in southwestern Idaho, and the Nevada North Project located in western Nevada. Learn more about the business and their high industry standards over at integraresources.comThe Mining Stock Daily morning briefing is produced by Clear Commodity Network. It is distributed throughout the world through your podcast network of choice, and by our friends at the Junior Mining Network. 

Mike Burke, Director and VP of Corporate Development at Sitka Gold (TSX.V:SIG - OTCQB:SITKF - FRE:1RF) joins me to discuss the company's March 18th news release and the first drill hole from its fully funded 30,000-meter drill program at the RC Gold Project in Yukon. Hole 75, totaling over 715 meters, returned a significant number of visible gold occurrences - 130 in total - and marks a 70-meter step-out from a high-grade interval drilled last year.   Mike explains how this early-season hole is targeting deeper mineralization below the current open-pit resource to test underground potential. Hole 75 showed more visible gold than previous holes, and Hole 76 is now underway to go even deeper, potentially past 800 meters.   Assay results for Hole 75 are expected by mid to late April. The company plans to ramp up with multiple drills in May, increasing news flow through the summer.   The market responded positively to the visuals, despite no assays yet, reflecting a stronger sentiment for gold stocks and early exploration activity. With gold over $3,000/oz and a large drill program underway, Sitka Gold is entering its most active exploration season to date.   If you have any follow up questions for Mike please email me at Fleck@kereport.com.    Click here visit the Sitka Gold website to learn more about the Company.

Successful organ transplants depend on quickly getting donor organs to their recipients. MediGO, now part of CareDx, pioneered logistics technologies that help make these life-saving procedures more successful than ever.In Episode #39 of the MedTech Speed to Data podcast, Key Tech's Andy Rogers and Lauren Eskew speak with MediGO co-founder Dr. Joseph Scalea about how data led the startup to solve challenges in the organ donation supply chain.Need to knowAmerica's nationwide organ donor network — From Hawaii and Alaska to Puerto Rico, patients are on a nationwide waitlist for compatible donor organs.Organ donation used to be local — As recently as the 1990s, most organ transplants came from local Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs), so long-distance transport was rare.Today's organ logistics are complex — Every organ donation requires a singular supply chain combining private or commercial aircraft and ground vehicles to link fifty-six OPOs with hospitals.The nitty-grittyA practicing transplant surgeon and currently the Vice Chair of Innovation in the Department of Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Scalea has seen a dramatic improvement in the efficiency and survivability of organ transplants.Operations that once took hours are now routinely completed within an hour. At the same time, complication rates are at all-time lows. Many technological advances made these improvements possible, but Dr. Scalea saw opportunities in the organ transplant system's operations.“We have about twenty-four hours to move a human kidney from the donor hospital,” he explains. This tight turnaround led Dr. Scalea to explore the potential for drone delivery. “We were watching the [transportation] time go up,” he recalls. “We hypothesized that using drones to seamlessly go from the donor to the recipient hospital might allow the recipient side more flexibility to get better outcomes.”Data that made the difference:Data drove MediGO's decision-making and ultimately led to a pivot from drone to supply chain technology. “We fundamentally believe that this problem is worth solving for the community,” Dr. Scalea says, “so what data are required to make this a business? It was through a combination of customer discovery, key informant interviews, and a ton of research into the space.”Identifying the actual customer was key. “We initially focused on the transplant centers,” Dr. Scalea says, “and then fundamentally recognized the organ banks responsible for moving the organs were the right customers. Organ banks didn't see as much immediate value in the biotelemetry. What they needed was logistics.”From there, the MediGO team could understand their customers' financial concerns. “We needed to understand funds flow — how those customers get reimbursed for the work they do.”As a practicing surgeon, Dr. Scalea inherently understood the customer's customers. “I was very fortunate to be an active transplant surgeon while standing up MediGO. Every day, I'd go to the hospital and ask myself, ‘Where's the organ?' This problem was real.”“As our colleagues around the country read the research we were publishing, it became clear there was a groundswell of interest in this problem being solved.”

On this weeks episode Brendan sits down with Patrick Hannington, a professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. His interests are at the interface between animals, parasites, and freshwater environments, including Prussian carp, a species capable of gynogesis, a reproductive technique that involves cloning and sperm stealing!  Patrick and Brendan discuss Prussian Carp, eDNA assay development, genetics, and assay validation. Recently, Patrick and his research group have been working to develop and implement a decentralized environmental DNA surveillance network to inform our understanding of invasive species, like Prussian carp and invasive mussels, in Western Canada. You can check out his labs work here: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/public-health/research/faculty-features/hanington.html Check out his teams swimmer's itch page here: https://swimmersitch.info/    Main Point: Don't forget the value of basic science!   Get in touch with us! The Fisheries Podcast is on Facebook, Bluesky, and Instagram: @FisheriesPod  Become a Patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/FisheriesPodcast Buy podcast shirts, hoodies, stickers, and more: https://teespring.com/stores/the-fisheries- podcast-fan-shop Thanks as always to Andrew Gialanella for the fantastic intro/outro music. The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity that those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).

Ohio-based Avation Medical has developed a bioelectric wearable device for at-home treatment of overactive bladder, promising improved quality of life for patients suffering from the most common cause of incontinence and urinary urgency.In Episode #38 of the MedTech Speed to Data Podcast, Andy Rogers discusses the Vivally System, entrepreneurship, and more with Avation Medical co-founder Jill Schiaparelli.Need to KnowBioelectric medicine is an alternative to pharmaceuticals and surgery — Selectively stimulating the nervous system can enhance, control, or fix a function without the tradeoffs of other treatments. Overactive bladder is a prime candidate for bioelectric solutions — Forty-five million Americans have overactive bladder, with nine million preferring adult diapers to traditional treatments.Nitty GrittyAlthough not fully understood, overstimulation of nerves in the bladder wall produces spasms, creating an urge to urinate as often as thirty times a day in extreme cases.Few sufferers choose sacral nerve stimulation, the gold standard treatment, which requires a device implanted near the spine to stimulate nerves regulating bladder behavior.“The moment you say surgery, it complicates things.” Schiaparelli explains. “You need a physician who knows how to do it, you need a patient who's willing to have what could be a very extensive surgery, and you need a payer who's willing to pay for the surgery.”Drugs for overactive bladder have unwelcome side effects that cause most patients to drop out of the care pathway. “When you look at those dynamics,” Schiaparelli says, “it screams a need. Patients want something that takes surgery out of the equation, doesn't have the side effects of drugs, and is convenient.”Avation Medical's Vivally System is an ankle-worn device that indirectly stimulates the sacral nerve through the tibial nerve without surgery. The device measures responses to adjust its stimulation automatically in real-time.“This physiologic closed loop allows the patient to have personalized, effective therapy in just thirty minutes once a week,” Schiaparelli says.Data that made a differenceAs a serial entrepreneur, Schiaparelli has learned that success requires understanding and meeting the needs of three key stakeholders: the patient, the physician, and the payer:Overactive bladder patients dissatisfied with traditional treatments are an enormous market. Most physicians can only offer prescriptions for imperfect drug therapies that do not generate revenue for their practices. Payers don't like either option since surgery costs reach $40,000 while drugs require lifetime prescriptions.“Every area we checked into, it made sense. This technology in this market checked all those boxes to say there's a need. We thought this was a real opportunity to disrupt the market.”But success requires addressing the needs of other stakeholders, including regulators and investors.Regulators' expectations, for example, drove Avation Medical's decision to implement quality control processes while starting its first clinical trial. “We knew that was going to be very important because we planned to use the clinical trial with our FDA submission.”Aligning Avation Medical's investors' expectations was just as important, with each investment round supporting the next stage in development and commercialization.Schiaparelli takes a holistic perspective on a Med Tech startup's data strategy.“It's speed, absolutely,” Schiaparelli says, “but it's also intelligent data that speaks to the needs of all the people that you'll need to demonstrate to down the line.”

Arc Minerals Ltd executive chairman Nick von Schirnding takes Proactive's Stephen Gunnion through the first assay results from its joint venture with Anglo American in Zambia. Speaking from the Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town, von Schirnding outlined the significance of the findings, which confirm additional near-surface copper mineralisation. He highlighted that assays from the Domes region revealed 0.6% copper over a 40-meter thickness, with high-grade intersects reaching 1.7% copper over eight meters. “Anything above or at 0.5% copper is considered economic,” von Schirnding stated, emphasising the project's strong potential. The discovery of sulfides below the oxide zone adds further excitement, as it could indicate a major copper deposit. Von Schirnding also discussed the joint venture with Anglo American, calling it one of the best deals for a junior exploration company in decades. Anglo has committed nearly $90 million, with $14.5 million allocated directly to Arc Minerals. With a strong financial position and extensive exploration territory, Arc Minerals expects an active year ahead. For more insights from industry leaders, visit Proactive's YouTube channel. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and enable notifications for future updates! #ArcMinerals #Mining #Copper #AngloAmerican #Zambia #Investing #MiningIndaba #NickVonSchirnding #Exploration #JuniorMining

Aftermath Silver CEO Ralph Rushton joined Steve Darling from Proactive to announce promising assay results from the company's Phase 2 diamond drill program at the Berenguela silver-copper-manganese project in Peru. The latest results include data from 22 drill holes out of the planned 60-hole program, with additional results pending overlimit check assays. Rushton highlighted that the results were highly encouraging, with drill hole AFD078 intersecting 9.1m at 447g/t Ag, 1.85% Cu, and 17.96% Mn from surface. The Phase 2 program was designed to achieve several key objectives: converting Inferred Resources to Measured and Indicated, evaluating key geological structures, and stepping out from historic high-grade intercepts. The company has approximately 30 to 40 holes left to report, with the ultimate goal of finalizing data for engineering studies. Rushton emphasized that expanding the resource indefinitely is not the priority, as a cash flow model dictates that resources beyond 15 to 16 years of production do not add value. Instead, the focus remains on ensuring sufficient data for geotechnical, metallurgical, and engineering studies to advance the project efficiently. #proactiveinvestors #aftermathsilverltd #tsxv #aag #otcqx #aagff #mining #SilverMining, #BerenguelaProject, #MiningInvestment, #SilverAssets, #ChileMining, #PeruMining, #Metallurgy, #PreliminaryEconomicAssessment, #SilverCopperOre, #MiningProjects, #OTCMarket, #ResourceEstimates, #EconomicAssessment, #SilverPrices, #MiningPermit

Arizona Gold and Silver CEO Mike Stark joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share initial assay results from the first two holes of the company's ongoing core drilling program at the Philadelphia Project in Arizona. The assays from PC24-140, the first of eight holes drilled at the Rising Fawn target, revealed 55.8 metres grading 1.27 g/t gold and 2.5 g/t silver from surface to 55.8 metres downhole. Rising Fawn, a historically mined patented claim, is one of many claims within the Philadelphia property. Seven additional holes, spaced approximately 30 metres apart, have been drilled to further test high-angle, high-grade vein structures in the mineralized zone. These holes have been sent to the lab, with all intersecting thick intervals of stockwork quartz in the rhyolite and granite host rock, with locally visible gold particles. At the Red Hills area, south of Rising Fawn, hole PC24-132 was drilled to test a thick mineralized interval previously discovered in 2021 reverse circulation drilling. The hole intersected 13.23 metres of 1.216 g/t gold, flanked by lower-grade intervals. While lower in grade than previous up-dip holes, the intercept remains thick and potentially viable for heap leaching. Moving forward, drilling will continue at Red Hills to explore additional mineralized structures, while ongoing work at Rising Fawn will focus on the down-dip continuity of high-grade zones. Further assay results from the remaining seven holes are pending. #proactiveinvestors #arizonagoldandsilverinc #tsxv #azs #otcqb #azasf #MiningUpdates #GoldExploration #PhiladelphiaProject #MiningDrilling #GoldAndSilver #MiningStocks #ArizonaGold #DrillingResults #GoldMining #MiningNews #JuniorMining #Investing #GoldSilver #Arizona

Terra Balcanica Resources CEO Alex Miskovic joined Steve Darling from Proactive to shared exciting updates with Proactive, announcing strong assay results from the Brezani target, part of the company's Viogor-Zanik project in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. A standout drill result, hole BREDD002, returned 436 g/t AgEq over 19.6 metres, including a high-grade interval of 746 g/t AgEq and 1.42 wt.% Sb over 9.8 metres, highlighting the significant potential of the Brezani target. The company has also confirmed an additional mineralization style at Brezani alongside the previously identified gold skarn. Recent assays show a gold skarn interval grading 0.61 g/t AuEq over 88.0 metres from surface. The mineralization trends upward, daylighting in a topographic depression with As-Bi-Sb-Te anomalies in soil samples, indicating a promising shallow "boiling-zone" drill target. Terra Balcanica is awaiting results from four completed shallow drill holes, designed to expand the footprint of the gold skarn within an 800-metre strike-length gold-in-soil anomaly. Future exploration plans include targeting the epithermal mineralization near the surface and identifying the "boiling zone," where precious metals are expected to have been favorably deposited. These results underscore the company's progress in advancing the Viogor-Zanik project and its commitment to uncovering high-value mineralization zones. #proactiveinvestors #terrabalcanicaresourcescorp #cse #tera AleksandarMišković, #BosniaDrilling, #UraniumExploration, #AthabascaBasin, #SilverMining, #GoldExploration, #MineralResources, #MiningUpdates, #GeologicalSurvey, #VulcanMetals,

Sanjeev Sethi, M.D., Ph.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new mass spectrometry test (Mayo ID: MSMN) identifies most antigens now known to cause membranous nephropathy. Precise identification of antigens is important for optimal management of this serious kidney disease.Speaker 3: (00:32) Would you mind telling us a little bit about yourself and your background? Speaker 3: (01:58) Would you give us an overview of membranous nephropathy?  Speaker 3: (07:14) Could you tell us a little bit about this new assay? Speaker 3: (14:29) Could you give a little example of how a clinician might use this information to treat their patients differently than how they would've in the past?   

Transforming Chronic Pain Treatment with a Lean, Data-focused Development StrategyBased in Washington, DC, AlgometRx has developed a technology platform that will let clinicians perform objective pain assessments to improve treatments for chronic pain.In Episode 37 of the MedTech Speed to Data Podcast, Key Tech's Andy Rogers and AlgometRx Chief Operating Officer Kevin Jackson discuss how collecting the right data sped the Nociometer platform's development.Need to knowPain diagnosis is challenging — Patients self-report their experience, which is inherently subjective and variable.Pain treatment involves trial and error — Finding the right treatment plan often requires a months-long iterative process.Risks of inappropriate drug treatments increase — Poor understanding of pain's causes leads to the over-prescription of the wrong drugs, a contributing factor to the opiate crisis.The nitty-grittyAlgometRx's technology platform emerged from research by the company's founder, Dr. Julia Finkel at Children's National Hospital. A pediatric anesthesiologist, Dr. Finkel must assess pain in children who lack the words to describe their experiences.“She wanted something that she could use in clinic to help better understand patients' pain,” Jackson explains. “Something that's simple enough that anyone could use in a variety of settings.”The Nociometer platform selectively activates nerve fibers and evaluates the patient's physical response — without causing additional pain.“We're able to identify the physiologic underpinnings of that pain experience, and that allows clinicians to better understand what's happening.”An objective assessment of the patient's pain lets the clinician make faster, better-informed decisions, but the real value will come from monitoring treatments. Rather than waiting three months to see if a treatment works, patients can return to the clinic a week later for a follow-up measurement. “That gives the clinician different information they wouldn't have had, Jackson says. “We can get right to the root of it, and you avoid six, seven, eight visits.”Data that made the difference:AlgometRx discussed this first-of-its-kind technology with the FDA before developing its proof-of-concept prototype. “We had this novel concept of a pain biomarker and device, so we wanted to know how we would even bring a device like this [to market].” FDA feedback informed a development strategy focused on gathering data from specific populations.AlgometRx leveraged partnerships to support this focused strategy. Working with Johns Hopkins researchers under an NIH Sprint for Women's Health grant, AlgometRx is developing pain response data sets for patients with systemic lupus and carpal tunnel syndrome. The startup is also a member of JLABS, Johnson & Johnson Innovation's life sciences incubator, where they get valuable insight into the Nociometer platform's potential role in pharmaceutical research.Running a lean operation lets AlgometRx prioritize data. Jackson is the startup's only full-time paid employee. Dr. Finkel, AlgometRx's board, and a network of consultants and contractors bring their expertise as needed. “We don't have a robust employee base, but we have a robust team,” Jackson says. “We've run this lean approach where we only bring in people as needed. Obviously, our investors love that idea because it's spending money on device development and data generation.”

In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Vijay Ramani from the Gladstone Institute to talk about his work on Single-Molecule Adenine Methylated Oligonucleosome Sequencing Assay (SAMOSA). Our discussion starts with Vijay Ramani's impactful contributions to the field during his time in Jay Shendure's lab, where he worked on several innovative methods, including RNA proximity ligation. This project was conceived during his graduate studies, aiming to adapt techniques from DNA research to investigate RNA structures—a largely unexplored area at the time. We delved into the nuances of his experiences in graduate school, emphasizing how critical it was to have mentors who provided room for creativity and autonomy in experimental design. Dr. Ramani then shares insights about his foray into developing more refined methodologies, such as in-situ DNA Hi-C, a revolutionary protocol tailored for three-dimensional genomic mapping. He explained the rationale behind his projects, comparing the outcomes with contemporaneous advancements in methods like Micro-C. The discussion highlighted the importance of understanding enzyme bias in chromatin studies and the need for meticulous experimental design to ensure the validity of biological interpretations. We further explored exciting advancements in single-cell genomics, specifically Ramani's work on developing sci-Hi-C. This innovative technique leverages combinatorial indexing to allow high-resolution mapping of chromatin architecture at the single-cell level, a significant leap forward in understanding the complexities of gene regulation. As we progress, Ramani detailed his transition from graduate student to independent investigator starting his own lab. He elaborated on the challenges and excitements associated with establishing his research focus in chromatin structure and function using advanced sequencing technologies. Employing various strategies, including the innovative SAMOSA assay, his research seeks to elucidate the mechanisms by which chromatin structure influences transcriptional regulation. We also discussed the heterogeneity of chromatin and its implications for gene expression. Ramani provided a fascinating perspective on how variations in chromatin structure could affect gene activity, highlighting potential avenues for future research that aims to untangle the complex dynamics at play in both healthy and diseased states.   References Ramani, V., Cusanovich, D., Hause, R. et al. Mapping 3D genome architecture through in situ DNase Hi-C. Nat Protoc 11, 2104–2121 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nprot.2016.126 Nour J Abdulhay, Colin P McNally, Laura J Hsieh, Sivakanthan Kasinathan, Aidan Keith, Laurel S Estes, Mehran Karimzadeh, Jason G Underwood, Hani Goodarzi, Geeta J Narlikar, Vijay Ramani (2020) Massively multiplex single-molecule oligonucleosome footprinting eLife 9:e59404. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.59404 Abdulhay, N.J., Hsieh, L.J., McNally, C.P. et al. Nucleosome density shapes kilobase-scale regulation by a mammalian chromatin remodeler. Nat Struct Mol Biol 30, 1571–1581 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41594-023-01093-6 Nanda, A.S., Wu, K., Irkliyenko, I. et al. Direct transposition of native DNA for sensitive multimodal single-molecule sequencing. Nat Genet 56, 1300–1309 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-024-01748-0   Related Episodes Epigenetic Mechanisms in Genome Regulation and Developmental Programming (James Hackett) Chromatin Profiling: From ChIP to CUT&RUN, CUT&Tag and CUTAC (Steven Henikoff) Split-Pool Recognition of Interactions by Tag Extension (SPRITE) (Mitch Guttman)   Contact Epigenetics Podcast on X Epigenetics Podcast on Instagram Epigenetics Podcast on Mastodon Epigenetics Podcast on Bluesky Epigenetics Podcast on Threads Active Motif on X Active Motif on LinkedIn Email: podcast@activemotif.com

Data drives MedTech growth, from the leanest startup to the world's most valuable pharmaceutical company. In Episode #36 of the MedTech Speed to Data Podcast, Key Tech's Andy Rogers discusses data-driven trends in medical technology with Anand Subramony, Eli Lilly's Vice President of Drug Delivery, Device, Connected Solutions & Innovation.Need to know·       Quarter-century perspective — After getting his PhD in chemistry and materials science from Purdue University, Subramony spent the next twenty-five years developing novel medical technologies for firms like Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, and AstraZeneca.·       Cutting-edge combination product development — Now at Eli Lilly, Subramony's team is responsible for combination product development, from early development through commercial development, for new delivery dosage forms.The nitty-grittySubramony drew upon his career-spanning perspective to discuss significant data-driven trends that impact the entire industry, not just Eli Lilly.One topic he raised in his conversation with Andy was using data to monitor disease state progression. Already an important element of fields like neurology and oncology, extensive data collection will become essential to a wider range of treatments. For many conditions, Subramony explains, disease state is a binary evaluation.“You can really understand disease state progression using digital biomarkers and collecting data throughout [the treatment],” Subramony said. “I think these are areas where there is a lot of potential.”Another data-driven trend Subramony discusses is the adoption of direct delivery therapies. When treating tumors and other conditions, off-target toxicity can cause unfortunate side effects. Genetic medicines, such as mRNA therapies, can target the cell surface, protect the cargo, and prevent endosomal escape.“It's going to disrupt the way we look at drug delivery from macroscopic pen auto-injector deliveries to microscopic, targeted deliveries where you need to take the therapeutic moiety into the site of action,” Subramony said.Data that made the difference:This episode's wide-ranging conversation covered many additional topics of interest to the MedTech community, including:GLP-1 treatments are “really transformative” for individual patients who can afford them. However, bringing costs down will depend on data demonstrating how lower obesity and healthier lifestyles reduce the overall burden on the healthcare system.For sensors and connected devices to go beyond “bells and whistles,” the industry must drive value from how we use that data. Relating compliance to efficacy, for example, makes moving patients from less effective to more effective therapies easier and faster.Continuous monitoring can improve healthcare outcomes but requires new data management practices to govern how much data is collected, who is collecting and viewing the data, and what are the privacy rules protecting patients. 

Interview with Troy Boisjoli, CEO of Atha Energy Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/atha-energy-tsxvsask-north-americas-largest-uranium-exploration-portfolio-6037Recording date: 25th November 2024ATHA Energy, a uranium exploration company with an extensive land portfolio, is making strategic advancements in a market poised for significant growth. With over 8.5 million acres across Canada's premier uranium jurisdictions, including the Athabasca and Thelon Basins, ATHA's flagship Angilak project in Nunavut is at the forefront of its development strategy. The project has a historical resource of 43 million pounds (Mlbs) of uranium at an average grade of 0.69% U₃O₈, with exploration indicating the potential to expand that resource to an upper target of 98 Mlbs.The Angilak project is a standout asset, offering both scalability and development advantages. Located in Nunavut, a mining-friendly jurisdiction where 47% of GDP is mining-related, the project benefits from existing supply chains and infrastructure established by neighboring operators like Agnico Eagle. Unlike many deeper uranium deposits, Angilak's mineralization begins at or near the surface, reducing development complexity and costs. “At Angilak, [the resource] comes right to surface—it's sub-cropping,” noted ATHA CEO Troy Boisjoli, highlighting this key advantage.ATHA's leadership team brings extensive uranium experience, including expertise from Cameco and NexGen. Boisjoli, who served as Chief Geologist at Cameco's Eagle Point Mine, sees parallels between Angilak and his previous operations. He emphasized, “Eagle Point had a very similar profile to Angilak—70 million pounds remaining at 0.7%.” The team's capability spans early-stage exploration through to operational development, positioning ATHA to efficiently de-risk and scale its assets.The company employs a disciplined capital allocation strategy, directing 70% of its resources toward Angilak while investing the remaining 30% in discovery-stage projects like the Gemini property in Saskatchewan and other generative opportunities. This approach ensures near-term growth and a robust pipeline of future prospects, mitigating risks associated with reliance on a single project. Assay results from Gemini are expected in Q1 2025, adding another layer of potential upside.ATHA's timing aligns with a favorable uranium market. The industry is experiencing a resurgence, driven by long-term contracting cycles, growing nuclear energy adoption, and limited supply. As Boisjoli observed, “We're entering a long-term contracting cycle similar to 2006, when demand significantly outpaced supply and created upward pressure on uranium prices.” Recent production challenges from competitors like Paladin and Peninsula highlight the market's tightness and underscore the need for scalable, high-quality assets like Angilak.Angilak's exploration results further enhance its appeal. A 10,000-meter drill program conducted in 2023 demonstrated mineralization across all 25 holes, validating the resource's growth potential. Boisjoli emphasized ATHA's rigorous approach, which relies on hard data rather than speculative geophysical targets, ensuring confidence in the project's scalability.For investors, ATHA Energy presents a compelling case. With a flagship asset primed for resource expansion, a seasoned leadership team, and a disciplined approach to exploration and development, ATHA is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing uranium market. The combination of timing, expertise, and a diversified asset base offers a unique opportunity for those seeking exposure to this generational uranium opportunity.—Learn more: https://cruxinvestor.com/companies/atha-energySign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Andrew Pollard, President and CEO of Blackrock Silver (TSX.V:BRC – OTCQX:BKRRF), joins me to review the next batch of high-grade silver and gold intercepts returned from this year's expanded 22,000 meter Measured and Indicated (M&I) conversion drill program on the 100% controlled Tonopah West Project, in Nevada.  We also discuss the potential for expansion drilling, the rising grade profile, and timeline to permitting.   Highlights from this next batch of drill results:    TXC24-095 returned multiple zones of high-grade mineralization including: 1.68 meters of 1,056 grams per tonne (g/t) silver equivalent (AgEq) [572.7 g/t silver (Ag) and 5.38 g/t gold (Au)] from 192.9 meters 1.83 meters of 341 g/t AgEq (147 g/t Ag and 2.61 Au) from 196 meters 1.07 meters of 633 g/t AgEq (343.7 g/t Ag and 3.21 Au) from 239 meters, including 0.55 meters of 1,225 g/t AgEq (665 g/t Ag and 6.23 g/t Au) and 5.03 meters of 774.5 g/t AgEq (461.5 g/t Ag and 3.47 g/t Au) from 242.5 metres, including 0.76 meters of 2,245 g/t AgEq (1,362 g/t Ag and 9.8 g/t Au) TXC24-098 returned 1.22 meters of 634 g/t AgEq (265.6 g/t Ag and 4.09 g/t Au) from 326.8 meters, including 0.3 meters of 2,480 g/t AgEq (1,034 gt Ag and 16.06 g/t Au) TXC24-117 returned 2.01 meters of 1,783 g/t AgEq (1,141 g/t Ag and 7.13 g/t Au) from 261.2 meters, including 0.4 meters of 6,064.4 g/t AgEq (3,712 g/t Ag and 26.13 g/t Au)   Andrew discusses how the goals of this drill program are to improve confidence in the continuity of mineralization in the deposit, converting Inferred mineralized areas Measured and Indicated, while connecting orphaned areas of mineralization, including the potential of bringing in the 12 million ounces of stranded ounces at the Northwest Step Out.  Additionally, there is the goal to increase the resources and anticipated mine life a few years beyond the 8-year and 8.6 million annual production that was first outlined in the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).   In that initial PEA at the base case gold price of $1,900 per ounce and silver price of $23 per ounce, the Project commands an after-tax net present value (“NPV”) discounted at 5% of $326-million on a low initial capex of $178-million (including $22-million contingency) with a payback of 2.3 years and an after-tax internal rate of return (“IRR”) of 39.2%, and an All-in Sustaining Costs (“AISC”) of $11.96 per silver equivalent ounce basis.   One of the other takeaways from the last two batches of drill results released is that the grade profile is actually increasing, with many results coming in higher than the average resource grade previously released to the market, and thus should be improving the economics as well.   Andrew outlines that the plan is to keep drilling through 2024 into the first half 2025, and then updating the resources and PEA accordingly.    We wrap up having Andrew walk us through the advantages of being on private land in Nevada, the anticipated permitting timeline, and some of the improving sentiment for US-based projects under the Trump administration, which may offer more blue-sky upside on the surround BLM prospects in their land package.  He feels their resources, preliminary economics, permitting path and ability to grow puts the Tonopah West Project in a unique position to separate from most other silver projects in the space, and potentially be attractive as an acquisition target to larger producers.     If you have any follow up questions for Andrew regarding Blackrock Silver, then please email us at Fleck@kereport.com or  Shad@kereport.com.   For full disclosure, Shad is shareholder of Blackrock Silver at the time of this recording.   Click here to visit the Blackrock Silver website to read over the recent news we discussed.

Alpha-synuclein plays a key role in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease, and researchers have been investigating this protein as a therapeutic target and also as a potential biomarker for the disease. The alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay, developed by Dr. Claudio Soto and colleagues, leverages the self-replicating nature of the misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins that form aggregates in Parkinson's disease. Amplifying misfolded alpha-synuclein can allow researchers and clinicians to detect the presence of the pathological form of the protein in biospecimens, even when the amount of misfolded alpha-synuclein in a sample is very low. In this episode, Claudio discusses his work in this area and how it has opened the doors for a variety of potential uses of the alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay, including applications in diagnosis, clinical trials, and drug development for Parkinson's disease.This year, Claudio received the 2024 Robert A. Pritzker Prize for Leadership in Parkinson's Research for his substantial contributions to research and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists in the field. Claudio is the Huffington's Distinguished University Chair, Professor of Neurology, and Director of the George and Cynthia Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders at The University of Texas Medical School in Houston. He is also the Founder, Vice-President, and Chief Scientific Officer at AMPRION Inc.This podcast is geared toward researchers and clinicians. If you live with Parkinson's or have a friend or family member with PD, listen to The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson's Podcast. Hear from scientists, doctors and people with Parkinson's on different aspects of life with the disease as well as research toward treatment breakthroughs at https://www.michaeljfox.org/podcasts.

Alpha-synuclein plays a key role in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease, and researchers have been investigating this protein as a therapeutic target and also as a potential biomarker for the disease. The alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay, developed by Dr. Claudio Soto and colleagues, leverages the self-replicating nature of the misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins that form aggregates in Parkinson's disease. Amplifying misfolded alpha-synuclein can allow researchers and clinicians to detect the presence of the pathological form of the protein in biospecimens, even when the amount of misfolded alpha-synuclein in a sample is very low. In this episode, Claudio discusses his work in this area and how it has opened the doors for a variety of potential uses of the alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay, including applications in diagnosis, clinical trials, and drug development for Parkinson's disease.This year, Claudio received the 2024 Robert A. Pritzker Prize for Leadership in Parkinson's Research for his substantial contributions to research and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists in the field. Claudio is the Huffington's Distinguished University Chair, Professor of Neurology, and Director of the George and Cynthia Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders at The University of Texas Medical School in Houston. He is also the Founder, Vice-President, and Chief Scientific Officer at AMPRION Inc.This podcast is geared toward researchers and clinicians. If you live with Parkinson's or have a friend or family member with PD, listen to The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson's Podcast. Hear from scientists, doctors and people with Parkinson's on different aspects of life with the disease as well as research toward treatment breakthroughs at https://www.michaeljfox.org/podcasts.

Cell therapy research and manufacturing are driving demand for automated high-throughput equipment to improve quality, reduce costs, and shorten the development cycles of innovative treatments that save lives. But what factors shape a startup's journey from the lab to commercialization?In Episode #35 of the Speed to Data podcast, Key Tech Business Development Manager Kelly Parker leads a panel of industry experts who discuss high-throughput automation in cell therapy screening and manufacturing.Daniela Hristova-Neeley, Ph.D., is a partner at the advisory firm Health Advances, where she is a leader in the diagnostics and life sciences tools practice.Blair Morad is Senior Director of Engineering at Cellino, a startup developing autonomous biomanufacturing technology for personalized cell therapies.Nova Syed is a founder and angel investor in the deep tech and healthcare sector. Most recently, Syed was the founding VP of Product at Mekonos, a developer of silicon nano-needles for cell therapies.Need to knowThree factors drive requirements in cell therapy screening:·       Customers are studying a huge variety of biological systems and drug targets. ·       Business requirements drive the need for faster and cheaper therapy development.·       Meeting regulatory standards demands high-quality, reproducible data.In manufacturing, meeting GMP makes design requirements even more complex as the product must:·       Improve flexibility and scalability.·       Improve quality control and traceability.·       Lower manufacturing costs.·       Reduce human interaction to improve efficiency and quality.The nitty-grittyGiven the many competing business, market, and regulatory requirements, the instrument design process inevitably forces developers to make tradeoffs.The panelists agreed that quality is table stakes, which means technologists and business leaders must balance time, cost, and scope.“You have to be ruthless when it comes to prioritizing your differentiator,” Hristova-Neeley said.In Morad's experience, understanding the organization's core competency is essential to focusing on the right problems.Data that made the differenceThe three panelists shared their lessons learned from hard experience in the healthcare technology business.Get early feedback from the market. “Product-market fit doesn't just happen,” Syed explains. “Unless you get feedback directly from the users and the customers, you don't have the data to iterate to the next cycle.”Hristova-Neeley agreed. “It's always important to hear what the customers have to say. Automation is certainly important, but it's not the only thing that is going to solve how we do cell therapy manufacturing or cell therapy development.”Look for outside expertise. “When you're working with the right experts,” Morad said, “they know how to ask the right questions that are helpful to move forward.” A good startup employs many intelligent people, but they won't know everything about everything. Find outside partners who have already built the assays, workflows, automation modules, and other elements outside your core competency so you can focus on your innovations.

The horseshoe crab has endured for over 450 million years. It has survived several mass extinctions including the one that killed off the dinosaurs. One reason for their incredible resiliency is their ability to fend off bacterial infection. Their blood contains cells that clot around invading bacteria, thereby protecting them from the attacking toxins.In this episode we talk with three experts about how this animal's unique blue blood has become essential to modern medicine. We also talk about why horseshoe crab populations are dwindling, and what biotech is doing to address the shortfall.Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram. Visit us at https://www.bio.org/

Past Discussions

Roger Rosmus, Founder, CEO, & Director of Goliath Resources (TSX.V: GOT) (OTCQB: GOTRF), joins me to review the 38,125 meter drill program that has now completed at the Surebet Discovery, Jackpot Target, And Treasure Island target at the Golddigger Property, located in the Golden Triangle, British Columbia.     Roger outlines that in total, assays are pending on 105 holes that include: 62 holes (out of 64) drilled this year, 17 previous holes relogged with RIRG style mineralization in dykes testing reduced intrusion mineralization and 14 other separate holes relogged that were drilled between 2021 – 2023 at Surebet. Assays are pending for 12 holes drilled at Treasure Island this year as well. 59 drill holes from this year's exploration program contained visible gold representing 92% of the holes in 2024, of which 19 (or 32%) had abundant visible gold (more than 4 recorded occurrences).   The new Bonanza High-Grade Gold Triangle, within the Surebet Discovery, delineates a zone of substantial gold and sulphide mineralization within a triangle measuring 720 x 612 x 410 meters with intervals over 9 meters and assaying over 31.1 g/t Au, demonstrating the high-grade gold potential of this excellent mineralized core zone that remains open. Assays for 17 holes (out of 19) from the new Bonanza Gold Triangle are pending.   The new Deep Zone discovered at 1239 meters below surface contains multiple quartz-sulphide veins and breccias with visible gold, chalcopyrite, galena and sphalerite demonstrating the tremendous additional untapped discovery potential of the Surebet system that remains wide open in every direction including at depth.   We then discussed the new style of Reduced Intrusion Related mineralization reinterpreted in this year's exploration program, where significant amounts of visible gold, bismuth mineralization, and molybdenite have been identified in veins hosted in intermediate porphyritic dykes in multiple drill holes. Relogging and sampling of the dykes in drill core from 2021-2023 included 17 holes for a total of >800 samples submitted to be assayed.   There was also the new Blue Origin discovery comprised of similar reduced intrusion style mineralization with a series of veins up to 20 cm wide containing bismuth minerals, molybdenite and chalcopyrite, hosted in a felsic intrusion located 4.5 kilometers to the south of the Surebet discovery. This intrusion could be spatially related to Surebet as an uplifted part of the potential feeder source below the 1.8 km2 area that remains open.    The Jackpot showing is located 1.4 km to the east of Surebet and similarly to the Bonanza Gold Triangle it lies at the intersection between the highly prolific Bonanza Shear and a southwest dipping sulphide mineralized shear zone where multiple samples assayed >5 g/t AuEq and remains open. A sample with a 7 mm nugget of visible gold was collected on the jackpot showing from the same vein where sample ST116183 assayed 21.5 oz/t AuEq or 667.40 gpt AuEq (636.00 gpt Au, 1690.00 gpt Ag, 7.96 % Cu, 2.22 % Pb). Assays are pending on all 6 drill holes from the Jackpot showing.   Next we pivoted up to the Cambria Ice Fields, where extensive high-grade quartz-sulphide mineralization on the original Treasure Island discovery with channel samples that assayed up to 28.08 gpt AuEq and grab samples that assayed up to 11.08 gpt AuEq has been traced in drill holes for 450 m of strike that remains open in all directions with 2,938 meters in 12 holes were drilled from 4 pads. The mineralized intervals average 29.99 meters wide and on average include 6.79 meters of moderate, semi-massive and massive sulphide mineralization in quartz-sulphide breccia over 450 m strike extent that remains open, and assays are still pending.   Wrapping up we have Roger outline for us through the capital management and financial health of the company,  announcing on October 3rd the closing of the final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered flow through financing for an aggregate $16,120,500 raised from the first and final tranches. In addition, earlier on September 4th, the Company announced $7,366,750 by way of a non-brokered charity flow through private placement at a price of $1.975 per share (no warrant). This gives the company over $23Million in funds raised which allowed for the expansion of the drill program for 2024, and still provides plenty of runway to kick things off the beginning of the next drill season. Roger mentioned that there are also over $9Million of in-the-money warrants priced between $0.15-$0.92 that start to expire in April/May of next year and finish expiring by year-end 2025. The company saw strategic investors like Crescat Capital and Rob McEwen increase their stakes, while also bringing in new cornerstone investors like a Singapore based Global Commodity Group and Larry Childress.*   If you have any questions for Roger about Goliath Resources, then please email me at Shad@kereport.com and then we'll get those answered or covered in a future interviews.   *In full disclosure, Shad is a shareholder of Goliath Resources at the time of this recording.   Click here to follow the latest news from Goliath Resources

INDEX: 00:00 - Introduction 02:41 - Exploration and drilling update 04:21 - Assay results and timeline 05:46 - Case Lake cesium uniqueness 09:08 - Drill results and geology 11:13 - First Nation partnership update 13:39 - Timeline to production 14:57 - Cesium advisory committee formed 16:42 - Grant funding details 18:33 - Closing remarks   _________________________________________________   Links

Earlier this year, renovations on Boise's historic Assay Office began. As the construction crew broke ground though they discovered they were digging up more than just dirt.

The RID-MyC assay, a CRISPR/Cas12a-based test, offers swift and reliable detection of Fungal Keratitis, enhancing diagnostic capabilities at point-of-care settings. Dr. Rajesh Rao interviews Dr. Siddharth Narendran on the development of this assay from his Ophthalmology Science article, “Development and Clinical Evaluation of a CRISPR/Cas12a-Based Nucleic Acid Detection Platform for the Diagnosis of Keratomycoses.” Development and Clinical Evaluation of a CRISPR/Cas12a-Based Nucleic Acid Detection Platform for the Diagnosis of Keratomycoses. Deivarajan, Hanith Raj et al. Ophthalmology Science, Volume 4, Issue 5. Join Ophthalmology's Editor-in-Chief, Russell Van Gelder, as he presents “The Year in Literature: Editor's Choice Highlights From the Ophthalmology Journal Family”  in Chicago at AAO 2024 on Sunday October 20, 2024, at 2pm local time in McCormick Place South Building Room S406A. Search “SYM48” in the Mobile Meeting Guide for more information.

Audio Commentary by Dr. Valentin Fuster, Emeritus Editor in Chief

In this episode, we review the high-yield topic of⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠from the Immunology section. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Medbullets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on social media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/medbullets Instagram: www.instagram.com/medbulletsofficial Twitter: www.twitter.com/medbullets

Challenges and solutions in monitoring assay performance for vaccine development: an interview with Atul Chaudhari

Golden Cariboo Resources (CSE: GCC | OTCQB: GCCFF | WKN: A0R2CQ | FSE: 3TZ) has received assay results from drill holes at their flagship Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property. The company is exploring for gold in the Barkerville Gold Belt in British Columbia, Canada.In this interview, President and CEO Frank Callaghan discusses the assay results and provides exploration updates at the Quesnelle Project. He confirms that Golden Cariboo's main worksite is safe from the recent forest fires in northern Alberta. Frank also talks about Golden Cariboo's market performance and future plans during the interview.Check out Golden Cariboo Resources and its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property: https://goldencariboo.comWatch the full YouTube interview here: https://youtu.be/vTFwNWOx8D4And follow us to stay updated: https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalOneMedia?sub_confirmation=1

District Metals provides an update on their land position in Sweden, particularly the Viken deposit, which contains uranium, vanadium, and other metals. The lifting of the uranium moratorium in Sweden is being investigated, and there is a possibility that a proposed bill will go to parliament this fall. District Metals plans to update the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) on the Viken deposit to include vanadium and potash. They may also drill metallurgical holes and convert some inferred resources into indicated. District Metals is considering applying for a listing on the NASDAQ First North Growth Market in Sweden to increase liquidity and allow Swedish investors to participate. Assay results from the Tomtebo property are expected to be released soon.

Plastics are a modern miracle of science that have helped deliver both convenience and life-saving solutions. However, we must now grapple with the challenge of immense amounts of plastics in our waste streams and environment. How do we best deconstruct plastics to reusable or more bio-friendly molecules? This is the exact challenge being addressed by the work of Dr. Elizabeth (Izzy) Bell and her team at the National Renewable Energy Lab. Our conversation with Izzy showcases her ability to summarize complex topics very concisely and understandably, which she says is a skill that is critically important in her field because it's so interdisciplinary. Izzy summarizes the challenges they're working to address and then walks us through the stepwise processes she and her team use to conduct directed evolution studies. These studies aim to create and characterize enzymes capable of deconstructing common plastics, first at a laboratory scale, but eventually at an industrial scale. If you've ever wondered about how directed evolution studies are done, and the role that molecular biology plays with them, this conversation will be sure to clarify. In addition to the great science of this episode, Izzy also helps outline what it takes to get into and be successful in her field – a great resource for anyone aspiring to get into this area of research. We hear about how interdisciplinary the field is, but how that means it's also ripe with opportunity for those passionate about learning and making a difference. Join us for what is sure to be an informative and inspiring episode! Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you're hearing we hope you'll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Download Transcripts: Speaking of Mol Bio Podcast | Thermo Fisher Scientific - US Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology.

JCO PO author Dr. Samuel J. Klempner shares insights into his JCO PO article, “PD-L1 Immunohistochemistry in Gastric Cancer: Comparison of Combined Positive Score and Tumor Area Positivity across 28-8, 22C3, and SP263 assays”. Host Dr. Rafeh Naqash and Dr. Klempner discuss assessing the analytical comparability of three commercially available PD-L1 assays and two scoring algorithms used to assess PD-L1 status in gastric cancer samples. TRANSCRIPT  Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash: Hello and welcome to JCO Precision Oncology Conversations, where we bring you engaging conversations with authors of clinically relevant and highly significant JCO PO articles. I am your host, Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash, Social Media Editor for JCO Precision Oncology and Assistant Professor at the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center. Today we are excited to be joined by Dr. Samuel J. Klempner, Director of Gastro Esophageal Medical Oncology and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School Mass Gen Cancer Center and author of the JCO Precision Oncology article, “PD-L1 Immunohistochemistry in Gastric Cancer: Comparison of Combined Positive Score and Tumor Area Positivity Across 28-8, 22C3, and SP263 Assays.” At the time of this recording, our guest disclosures will be linked in the transcript. Dr. Klempner, welcome to our podcast and thanks for joining us today.  Dr. Samuel J. Klempner: Happy to be here. Thanks for having me. Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash: For the sake of this podcast, we'll be using our first names. So, Sam, it was great to see you at ASCO recently, where I believe you presented these data as an abstract as well. Dr. Samuel J. Klempner: Yes, we had a poster presentation for this paper, which was published in parallel with the meeting. Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash: Congratulations, and I'm very happy that you chose JCO PO as the destination for these data. So we're going to be talking about a lot of different things today in the context of gastric cancer, which I know you treat very often in your clinic. So could you tell us what the treatment landscape for advanced gastric cancer currently is? Because that goes into the context of why I believe you and your colleagues went ahead with this project.  Dr. Samuel J. Klempner: Yeah, happy to. As you know, unfortunately, half or more of our patients, by the time they come to medical attention for a gastric or GE junction or esophageal adenocarcinomas, unfortunately have advanced disease, often metastatic at presentation. So we have this large population of patients with advanced disease, and over the last couple years, we've actually made some substantial advances in the management and survival of this population. This has been mainly driven by biomarker selection, whether it be adding immunotherapy on top of HER2 therapy, whether it be testing for claudin and seeing the results with claudin directed therapies. And perhaps the vast majority of patients are potentially eligible for immune checkpoint inhibitors. We've seen several phase three trials, perhaps highlighted by CheckMate 649, KEYNOTE 859, rationale studies confirming that there are populations of patients who derive significant survival advantages from the addition of anti PD-1 on top of chemotherapy. So the landscape has really evolved into a biomarker directed world, which is exactly what we hope, because ultimately, the goal is, of course, to match patients with the best drugs at the right time. And that's really the background of where this analytical effort came from.  Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash: Thank you for giving us that overview. Going to the second part, which, as you mentioned in your initial overview about the role of immunotherapy, and as we all know, immunotherapy has changed the treatment landscape for a lot of different tumor types. And as clinicians, we often see or ask, what is the PD-L1 positivity for, let's say, lung cancer, which is what I treat, and gastric cancer, which is what you treat. Some of the nuances that we don't necessarily go into when we're looking at those reports is the combined positivity score, the tumor proportion score, or the tumor area positivity. Could you give us an understanding, for the sake of our audience or for the sake of our trainees who might be listening to this podcast, what the CPS, or what the TAP  mean and where they are used in the treatment landscape for biomarker selection in the context of gastric cancer? And how do you approach the different cutoffs for CPS when you're treating an individual in the standard of care setting for gastric cancer? Dr. Samuel J. Klempner: For sure, happy to. So I think eventually it all comes back to patients. When we're sitting in a clinic room with the patient, we want to be able to have features about the tumor that's going to tell us if a therapy is more or less likely to work, maybe if there's a prognostic implication so we have predictive and prognostic biomarkers. And PD-L1 expression does not appear to be particularly prognostic, but it does appear to be predictive of benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors. Therefore, all of the phase 3 trials that we've seen in some way have linked the biomarker expression to outcomes, whether it's the primary endpoint, whether it's post hoc retrospective analyses, etc. What we've seen is that all of these phase 3 trials have largely used different antibodies to define PD-L1 strata within the trial. So whether that's 22C3,  whether it's 28-8, whether it's 263, those are the predominant antibody clones used to examine PD-L1 expression in tumor samples. And it's been pretty clear across these large phase 3 trials that there is a trend with increasing PD-L1 expression and increasing magnitude of benefit. We see this in the improved hazard ratios in the CPS greater than five or greater than ten versus less than one, etcetera.  However, the scoring systems have varied. There is TPS tumor positivity, which only accounts for tumor cells. There is combined positive score, which accounts for tumor cells and mononuclear infiltrates and involves counting cells. And then perhaps the most recent one is the tumor area positivity, which is essentially a non counting method to look broadly at the area of the sample that is expressing PD-L1. It was on this background that we said, is there analytical concordance among the main antibodies? Our work does not address whether there is difference in clinical outcomes between testing 28-8 and 22C3 and SP263. It is simply a pure analytical comparison of the three antibodies. Is a CPS 5, when you call it by 28-8, somewhat agreeable to a TPS or a TAP greater than five with the same antibody and with a different antibody. So we felt that this was kind of a question that hadn't really been fully addressed in the field and may help contextualize results for clinicians and ultimately cross trial comparisons.  Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash: Thank you for that explanation. And you bring forth a very important question. And I remember this example of a patient with lung cancer who had tissue NGS done, and they had a limited gene panel with PD-L1 testing sent that showed a PD-L1 of close to 15 or 20%, and then another NGS panel with a different antibody, suggesting that they had a PD-L1 of close to 60-70%, which significantly changes the overall approach for treatment in the context of blood cancer. Is that something that you experience in gastric cancer also, in terms of variability for CPS, determining what treatment combinations you might be able to put an individual patient on? Dr. Samuel J. Klempner: It's rare that we have samples at any institution tested in multiple methods, but these types of papers and others had looked at some stuff similar and prior to our publication, but we know that there is both spatial heterogeneity. So if you test a tumor versus metastasis, you may have different PD-L1 scoring even in regions of large samples, like surgical resections, there will be some intra tumor heterogeneity in regions of expression. And then we also know that sometimes after therapy, for example, post radiation, there's some data that at the time of surgery, the PD-L1 expression may be higher than what the presurgical sample was. So there's a lot of variables that are factored in. But one thing that wasn't really well known is, across the standard antibodies, how well is the inter assay comparison? There had been some work from a group in Singapore, a very nice paper suggesting that at the higher cut points, the agreement was pretty good across the assays, CPS greater than 5 and greater than 10, and maybe slightly less so at the lower. They had used a different method, which was not really what is standard, and they had used multiplex immunofluorescence or IHC. This is not a validated method for PD-L1 scoring. So that was an open question, sort of. Although they laid a very important piece of data down, we wanted to use the most standard assays and essentially do a very similar analysis, but using the standard scoring criteria. Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash: Very interesting. So, could you walk us through the approach of how you looked at this question, what kind of samples you used and what kind of testing algorithms you implemented to look at the cross validation of these three different antibodies? Dr. Samuel J. Klempner: The antibodies were chosen primarily because those are the standard ones that either have companion diagnostics or have been used most commonly in phase 3 trials. So 22C3 has most commonly been linked to pembrolizumab, 28-8 to nivolumab, and 263 used with Roche and Genentech trials primarily. And so we selected the antibodies based on the common use. We selected the scoring systems of CPS and TAP, again based on the most commonly used and validated scoring algorithms in gastric cancer. And then, although most patients in clinic and metastatic disease present with biopsy samples from the primary tumor, there may be some limitations in biopsy samples in terms of small amount of material and ability to reliably count 100 cells, etc., for CPS. So we actually use surgically resected samples from a commercial biobank, 100 samples, and essentially 28-8 was really the reference. And we picked samples that, using 28-8 CPS PD-L1 expression represented the entire spectrum, meaning we had CPS less than 1, we had greater than 1 and less than 5, greater than 5 and less than 10, and greater than 10, so that we could compare across these different strata, because those are the most common strata that have been used in clinical trials and linked to magnitude of benefit. Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash: And something that, interestingly, I see here when we go to some of the results, and I'm pretty sure you'll talk about the concordance, is the correlation coefficient seems to increase as the percentage positivity increases for a certain antibody. Could you try to help us understand why that might be the case? Is it because it's easier for the pathologist to look at the slide when there is a certain level of positivity that crosses a certain threshold? Or could there be some other factors that are not well understood. Dr. Samuel J. Klempner: Yeah, it's a totally good question, and I think it's something that's seen in other IHC biomarkers as well. If you look at HER2, you'll see some similar trends. The agreement at IHC 3+ is pretty good and greater than it is at lower cut points. And having talked to multiple pathologists, and I'm not a pathologist, we had three pathologists scoring all of these samples, and essentially, it's what you might expect. It is just easier when there's a lot of the marker. It is easier to judge the high extremes of the strata. So the agreement at greater than 10 is quite good, and this has already been shown by others. It's just an easier thing to score for anyone. The agreement is better across all of the assays at higher cut points, whether it's TAP greater than 10% or CPS greater than 10%. And you can see that pretty clearly in our data, and it's also been shown in other data sets looking at roughly similar questions in other tumor types.  Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash: Going to the interesting results that you have in this paper, could you highlight for us some of the important findings that you had and put them into context of what their clinical implications may be? Dr. Samuel J. Klempner: Yeah, I think I'll start with the clinical implications so that what clinicians, and we're both clinicians, what we want to know is, if I have a report that says the CPS is greater than 1 and it's done with a 22C3 test, is that also likely to be greater than one if it had been done with a 28-8 test or scored with a different algorithm - CPS versus TAP? So, essentially, some degree of confidence on the interchangeability between the assays themselves, that is really the clinical implication. And so, to accomplish this, we set out to basically do the comparisons you'd have to do to convince yourself that that is true. So you take samples against a reference range, in this case, across the PD-L1 strata, you pick a reference test, in this case, 28-8, you have one pathologist be the start, and then you compare other pathologists against each other and that person, and you look. And in the pathology literature, they have strata of agreement which tend to go from poor, moderate, good to excellent. And these are sort of accepted standards in the pathology world about inter reader agreement. So between one pathologist and another, and things that are moderate or good are considered essentially acceptable at interchangeable levels.  And so, as you suggested, at the higher cut points, the agreement is very good. The clinical interpretation of that is that if you get a TAP greater than 10% scored on a 22C3 antibody on a Dako staining system, you can feel relatively confident that that would also be called a TAP or a CPS greater than 10 by a 28-8 antibody, suggesting there is good agreement between the two antibodies at that cut point. As you move down, there is a little bit less agreement, and that is consistent with what's been shown before. But in our data set, the agreement was still pretty good across all three of the antibody clones, even at the lower cut point, so greater than 1% for TAP or CPS greater than 1. And that provides, I think, some reassurance to clinicians that whatever test their own pathology lab is using, if it's one of these three assays, they can provide some degree of confidence that what they're seeing would be similar to what they were seeing if it had been done with another test. Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash: I think that that is very important, because even though we do want broad testing in general for metastatic tumors, as you probably will agree with, but there's a lot of practices still that institutions tend to do their own testing with limited gene panels or even IHCs. So I think to put that in the context of your study, as you said, if you have a certain antibody that is positive, as you've shown, then that also likely means that with another antibody that your institution may not test for, it's likely the tumor sample is likely going to be positive at a similar level.  So I think you also used digital pathology as part of this project, even though that may not be the most important aspect. As we move slowly and steadily towards artificial intelligence and machine learning, could you tell us how you incorporated the digital assessments and how you utilize them to correlate with the pathologist assessment and the futuristic perspective of how we could eventually try to incorporate digital pathology assessments for this kind of staining approach, which might limit interobserver operability differences as well as time constraints? Dr. Samuel J. Klempner: I hope I can do this part justice, because, again, I'm not a pathologist. But the digital imaging analysis was really essentially used as a quality check and verification tool in our own paper. Our intent was not to establish DIA directly as a superior methodology to TAP or CPS, but simply to provide ourselves some degree of confidence in the staining pattern and distribution across the three assays, and whether or not this would generate significant differences in what the PD-L1 score would have been called. And so, the bottom line is, the digital imaging analysis suggested there were very minor differences across the three assays in terms of, like, percent cell positivity, which is one of the main readouts, and the mean difference was actually quite small. So we felt that the digital imaging analysis, which was really considered somewhat exploratory in our own work, supported what we saw with the pathology comparators read in traditional methods. I think it sets somewhat of an initial pilot data benchmark to say that maybe we can think about moving tools like digital imaging analyses forward in terms of PD-L1 scoring approaches in the future. But it does not provide adequate data to say that we can do this now or we have enough samples and enough comparisons to say that, “Hey, for sure, digital imaging is equivalent to pathology reading.” I think that we're getting there and our data supports that that may ultimately be the conclusion, but for us it was really essentially an orthogonal support and sanity check for our traditional approach, which is, of course, a pathologist based scoring. So supportive and suggestive, but not definitively conclusive. Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash: Definitely early days for visual pathology assessments, but I think that it's a very rapidly evolving field, and hopefully we'll see more of this in the next few years, as well as incorporating some assessments into clinical trials.  Now, shifting away from your honorary pathologist role as part of this project to your actual role as a clinician investigator/clinician scientist, could you tell us your career trajectory, how you started, how you've self paced yourself, and how you've tried to mentor certain different individuals in your current role? Dr. Samuel J. Klempner: Yeah, I remember my grandfather and other people telling me, just try to leave it a little bit better than you found it. And so that's, I think, a guiding principle. I hope that at the end of my own career, I can leave oncology a little bit better than when I started. I think the best way to do that is to mentor and train the next generation who are going to drive these practices. I started, like many others, personally touched by cancer in my family, which started me on a journey towards oncology, was somewhat frustrated by the lack of options available to my mom, and then became deeply interested in the science and how come we knew so little about cancer, so spent a fair amount of time in labs, and had a really formative experience with Lew Cantley looking at PI3 kinase resistance and signal transduction, and wanted to learn to speak the language and interact with people driving the lab based work. And that's been something I've tried to keep as central to my career as someone who has a very strong translational interest.  And so I try to think of ways that I think we can learn from every single patient and every subgroup. I mean, for example, in our own work here, it's very unclear if there's a biology linked to the different PD-L1 strata. So for example, does a PD-L1 CPS greater than 10 tumor have a very high interferon gene signature? Or are there features of the T cells that are different between a CPS 10 or higher versus a less than 1? So PD-L1 is a biomarker, but is it really telling us about biology? And so these are the types of questions that I try to stimulate in all the residents and fellows and hopefully it will drive translational projects. But I think just having the conversations and asking the questions and talking to people. I mean, I love the ASCO Career Lounge and always try to do that when possible. I know you do the same. I think staying curious is really the thing that I try to remain in life and also in my career and have fun and enjoy with your colleagues. And I think that will make us all better researchers and ultimately translate to better outcomes for our patients, which is, of course, why we all do this. Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash: Wonderfully said Sam, thank you so much. Thanks again for choosing JCO PO as the final destination for your work. Hopefully we see more of the similar work that you do in your field in JCO PO. And thank you for talking to us about your journey as well.  Dr. Samuel J. Klempner: Yes, thanks for having me. I'll talk to you sometime soon.  Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash: Thank you for listening to JCO Precision Oncology Conversations. Don't forget to give us a rating or review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You can find all ASCO shows at asco.org/podcast.   The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions.  Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience and conclusions. Guest statements on the podcast do not express the opinions of ASCO. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity or therapy should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement.     Disclosures Dr. Klempner Stock and Ownership Interests TP Therapeutics Nuvalent, Inc Honoraria Merck Serono Consulting or Advisory Role Atellas Pharma Bristol-Myers Squibb Merck Daiichi Sankyo/UCB Japan Sanofi/Aventis Mersana Exact Sciences Novartis SERVIER AstraZeneca Amgen I-Mab iho Oncology    

American Eagle Gold CEO, Anthony Moreau, provides an update on the drilling progress at the NAK porphyry project in British Columbia. The company has added a second drill rig and has drilled over 800 meters so far. Assay results are pending, but the core samples look promising. Moreau discusses the potential depth of the drilling and the cost considerations. He also highlights the significance of hole 19, which is drilling into unexplored territory.

Red Pine Exploration is back in the news with a new batch of recently drilled assays from the Wawa Gold Project. NexGen Energy says drilling at Patterson Corridor East has intersected 67.5m of mineralization. CanAlaska Uranium reported new assay results from the Pike Zone. FPX Nickel has appointed Scott Larson as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of CO2 Lock. GFG Resources will kick off their new drill campaign at the Goldarm property. This episode of Mining Stock Daily is brought to you by...  Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (ASCU:TSX) is focused on developing its brownfield copper project on private land in Arizona. The Cactus Mine Project is located less than an hour's drive from the Phoenix International airport. Grid power and the Union Pacific Rail line situated at the base of the Cactus Project main road. With permitted water access, a streamlined permitting framework and infrastructure already in place, ASCU's Cactus Mine Project is a lower risk copper development project in the infrastructure-rich heartland of Arizona.For more information, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.arizonasonoran.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Fireweed Metals is advancing 3 different projects within the Yukon and Northwest Territories, including the flagship Macmillan Pass Project, a large zinc-lead-silver deposit and the Mactung Project, one of the largest and highest-grade tungsten deposits in the world. Fireweed plans to advance these projects through exploration, resource definition, metallurgy, engineering, economic studies and collaboration with indigenous people on the path to production. For more information please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fireweedmetals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Vizsla Silver is focused on becoming one of the world's largest single-asset silver producers through the exploration and development of the 100% owned Panuco-Copala silver-gold district in Sinaloa, Mexico. The company consolidated this historic district in 2019 and has now completed over 325,000 meters of drilling. The company has the world's largest, undeveloped high-grade silver resource. Learn more at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://vizslasilvercorp.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Victoria Gold operates the Eagle Gold Mine within the Dublin Gulch Property. Eagle is the largest gold mine in Yukon's long history of gold production. In addition to the long-life Eagle Gold Mine, the Dublin Gulch property has upsized exploration potential including priority targets Raven and Lynx among others. Follow all the gold production and exploration news at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vgcx.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Paul Jannetto, Ph.D., explains the advantages that Mayo Clinic Laboratories' oral fluid drug screening offers over typical urine tests. Oral samples are easier to collect and harder to adulterate.(00:32) Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background? (01:46) Can you please provide an overview of laboratory testing for substance use disorders and specifically Mayo Clinic's new oral fluid controlled substance monitoring option? (03:47) Which patients should have this testing and when should it be performed? (05:16) What alternative test options are available and how do these compare? (06:31) How are the results used in patient care?

Pictorlabs is a California-based startup developing a cloud-based platform that uses artificial intelligence to improve tissue sample analysis through virtual histological staining.In Episode #34 of the Speed to Data Podcast, Key Tech's Andy Rogers speaks with Pictorlabs Chief Product Officer Raymond Kozikowski about his company's all-digital approach to tissue sample testing.Need to know·       Histopathology — The visual analysis of stained tissue samples to diagnose cancer and other conditions.·       Tests have long turnaround times — Selection, preparation, and imaging can take as long as a day to return one test's results to the physician.·       Tests are requested sequentially — The results of one test determine the next test in the decision tree, so physicians can't order all the tests simultaneously.·       Cancer patients must wait — On average, there is a forty-day gap between biopsy and first treatment.The nitty-grittyAs Dr. Kozikowski explains, “Histopathology has traditionally been a chemistry-based testing paradigm. Every cancer case starts with a biopsy, and those tissues are transformed into data that inform the diagnosis and therapeutic options.”Pictorlabs' solution uses one tissue sample to create a virtual stain that simultaneously generates results for dozens of tests within minutes. “What we're doing is teaching AI algorithms the relationship between validated test results and the underlying signature from that unstained piece of tissue,” Dr. Kozikowski said. “From a single patient sample, you're no longer limited to running one chemical-based test. You can run ten, twenty, thirty AI-based tests.”Although the company thought it faced a long march toward the clinical market, Pictorlabs found an opportunity in a different market.“There's a really robust cancer research market, both the academic medical centers and the pharma companies. Where we really got traction wasn't necessarily as a replacement [technology] but a complement to other kinds of tests.”Dr. Kozikowski cites spatial biology as an example. Cells express their genes and RNA differently depending on their location in tissue. Understanding this spatial relationship could yield new, more targeted therapies.“A challenge with interrogating RNA targets,” Dr. Kozikowski explains, “is that you often can't also run traditional staining-based tests. With virtual staining, we're actually able to complement those RNA-based tests with a pseudo-staining result. This is perfectly fit for purpose in those workflows.”Data that made the difference:The importance of data to AI development isn't surprising, but Pictorlabs needs more than quantity.“There's also a lot of nuance in the design of that dataset and making sure it's fit for purpose,” Dr. Kozikowski says. “Has it seen the diversity of human disease in that training dataset to really make sure that it generalizes accurately and robustly?”Partnerships with the research community have helped refine Pictorlab's technology. One of these relationships is with Dr. Michael Kallen, a pathologist at the University of Maryland's School of Medicine.“Diagnosing lymphoma or leukemia can be very, very complex. You have the challenge of managing a complex workflow in the lab and the complexity of making sense of all those test results spread over weeks or maybe even a month.”“[Dr. Kallen] saw the opportunity. We've been partnered with that department for a while now, exchanging data to help train algorithms and get feedback from pathologists. We've just received an innovation grant to deploy our technology side-by-side with their existing workflows to look at the value.”Watch the full video below to learn more about Pictorlabs' virtual staining solution and to hear Dr. Kozikowski's advice to product managers and entrepreneurs.

David S. Viswanatha, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new assay provides rapid, definitive diagnosis of VEXAS, a recently identified syndrome affecting older men. Early diagnosis is key to managing the condition, which severely impacts multiple organs and blood.(00:31) Could you please provide a little bit about yourself and your background? (01:30) Would you please share a brief overview of the UBA1Q assay? (02:13) Would you provide an overview of VEXAS syndrome? (05:30) When is this testing recommended during care for patients who have a suspected inflammatory condition or VEXAS syndrome? (06:38) What advantage does this assay provide over other methodologies? (10:13) Could you share further why diagnosis is so important for these patients?(12:40) Is there anything else you'd like to comment about the assay?

In this morning's briefing: Koryx Copper delivered assay results from Haib project, southern Namibia; Amex Exploration advanced geological understanding on Perron project, Quebec; Red Pine Exploration announced assay results from Wawa project, Ontario; Golden Arrow Resources is now drilling at the San Pietro Iron-Copper-Gold-Cobalt Project; and, Cosa Resources complete drilling program at Ursa project, Sask. This episode of Mining Stock Daily is brought to you by...  Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (ASCU:TSX) is focused on developing its brownfield copper project on private land in Arizona. The Cactus Mine Project is located less than an hour's drive from the Phoenix International airport. Grid power and the Union Pacific Rail line situated at the base of the Cactus Project main road. With permitted water access, a streamlined permitting framework and infrastructure already in place, ASCU's Cactus Mine Project is a lower risk copper development project in the infrastructure-rich heartland of Arizona.For more information, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.arizonasonoran.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Fireweed Metals is advancing 3 different projects within the Yukon and Northwest Territories, including the flagship Macmillan Pass Project, a large zinc-lead-silver deposit and the Mactung Project, one of the largest and highest-grade tungsten deposits in the world. Fireweed plans to advance these projects through exploration, resource definition, metallurgy, engineering, economic studies and collaboration with indigenous people on the path to production. For more information please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fireweedmetals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Vizsla Silver is focused on becoming one of the world's largest single-asset silver producers through the exploration and development of the 100% owned Panuco-Copala silver-gold district in Sinaloa, Mexico. The company consolidated this historic district in 2019 and has now completed over 325,000 meters of drilling. The company has the world's largest, undeveloped high-grade silver resource. Learn more at ⁠https://vizslasilvercorp.com/⁠ Victoria Gold operates the Eagle Gold Mine within the Dublin Gulch Property. Eagle is the largest gold mine in Yukon's long history of gold production. In addition to the long-life Eagle Gold Mine, the Dublin Gulch property has upsized exploration potential including priority targets Raven and Lynx among others. Follow all the gold production and exploration news at ⁠vgcx.com⁠.

In this morning's briefing: Western Alaska Minerals announced an increased brokered offering of up to $7 million; Filo Corp. announced assay results (yesterday) from eight holes from the Filo del Sol Project; Probe Gold announced the final set of results (28 holes) from Monique Val-d'Or, Quebec; Summa Silver provide assay results from its final two drill holes at Mogollon, New Mexico; and, Freegold Ventures announce drill start at Golden Summit. This episode of Mining Stock Daily is brought to you by...  Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (ASCU:TSX) is focused on developing its brownfield copper project on private land in Arizona. The Cactus Mine Project is located less than an hour's drive from the Phoenix International airport. Grid power and the Union Pacific Rail line situated at the base of the Cactus Project main road. With permitted water access, a streamlined permitting framework and infrastructure already in place, ASCU's Cactus Mine Project is a lower risk copper development project in the infrastructure-rich heartland of Arizona.For more information, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.arizonasonoran.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Fireweed Metals is advancing 3 different projects within the Yukon and Northwest Territories, including the flagship Macmillan Pass Project, a large zinc-lead-silver deposit and the Mactung Project, one of the largest and highest-grade tungsten deposits in the world. Fireweed plans to advance these projects through exploration, resource definition, metallurgy, engineering, economic studies and collaboration with indigenous people on the path to production. For more information please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fireweedmetals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Vizsla Silver is focused on becoming one of the world's largest single-asset silver producers through the exploration and development of the 100% owned Panuco-Copala silver-gold district in Sinaloa, Mexico. The company consolidated this historic district in 2019 and has now completed over 325,000 meters of drilling. The company has the world's largest, undeveloped high-grade silver resource. Learn more at ⁠https://vizslasilvercorp.com/⁠ Victoria Gold operates the Eagle Gold Mine within the Dublin Gulch Property. Eagle is the largest gold mine in Yukon's long history of gold production. In addition to the long-life Eagle Gold Mine, the Dublin Gulch property has upsized exploration potential including priority targets Raven and Lynx among others. Follow all the gold production and exploration news at ⁠vgcx.com⁠.

Maryam Shahi, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' unique biomarker test (TEST ID: AFOLR) determines which patients would likely benefit from a new treatment for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. Disease recurrence is common, and about one-third of patients respond to the new medication. (00:32) Could you provide us with a little bit of information about yourself and your background? (01:18) Can you start with a brief overview of the assay? (02:13) Which patients should have this testing and when should it be performed? (03:21) Are there alternative test options available and how do those compare with the folate receptor alpha assay? (03:57) How are the results used in patient care?

Maria Alice Willrich, Ph.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new assay provides therapeutic drug monitoring of risankizumab, or RISA. Test results help guide care for patients with plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn's disease.(00:32) Do you mind giving the audience more information about yourself and your background? (01:53) Could you please give a brief overview of this assay? (03:35) Which patients should have this testing and when should it be performed? (04:57) How are the results used in patient care? (06:59) Other monoclonal antibody therapies are usually monitored by a combination of drug quantification and analysis of antidrug antibodies. How is this test being offered?

Bobbi Pritt, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new assay identifies less-common tick-borne bacteria in whole blood. The assay is recommended when tick-borne bacterial infection is suspected but standard testing is unrevealing.(00:33) Do you mind giving us a brief introduction of yourself and what you do at Mayo? (01:45) Can you tell us a little about the test and how it came to be? (03:00) Could you explain the types of patients this test would be best suited for and how a provider might determine if their patient would benefit from this? (03:32) Would you please explain why the algorithm is recommended and where in the algorithm this test fits? (04:36) What makes this test different from what's currently available to providers? (05:38) How can the information be used in patient care? And can you talk a little bit about how the diagnosis can be clarified by using this assay, why it's important, and how the results would impact a patient's care and treatment plan?

Astek Diagnostics is a Baltimore-based MedTech startup developing a platform for diagnosing urinary tract infections (UTIs) with unprecedented speed and accuracy.In Episode #33, Key Tech's Andy Rogers and Lauren Eskew discuss this exciting development with Astek Diagnostics co-founder and CEO Dr. Mustafa Al-Adhami.Need to knowUTIs are proliferating — Within thirty years, global cases rose 90% to over 400 million cases[CC1] , with over 8 million hospital visits in the US alone. Rapid tests are unreliable — Low-specificity dipsticks have high false-positive rates.Clinical tests are slow — Labs take up to three days to return results.Incorrect prescriptions are common — Physicians initially choose the wrong antibiotics in half of patients, delaying effective treatment.UTI complications are lethal — 25% of sepsis cases start as UTIs, leading to 68,000 deaths in the US[CC2] .Slow, inaccurate diagnoses breed resistant bacteria — Delaying the use of effective antibiotics contributes to the severe threat of antimicrobial resistance.The nitty-grittyDr. Al-Adhami's entrepreneurial journey began with a personal crisis two months before receiving his biomedical engineering Ph.D. when his grandfather developed a UTI.“It took the doctors four days to tell him what antibiotic he should be using,” Dr. Al-Adhami said. “In the meantime, he was in pain. He was delirious. He fell and broke his hip. I kid you not, he was a young 87-year-old. Within one week, he was a much, much older, bedridden 87-year-old. [While] helping with his care, I was like, if we were able to give him the proper antibiotic right away, we would not be here!”Such strong motivation led to a one-hour test for use in a urology or OB/GYN clinic. The system has two components: a single-use sample cartridge and a durable microfluidics fluorescent analyzer that characterizes antibiotic susceptibility[CC3] . Astek's tabletop prototype already achieves 97% specificity and 94% sensitivity — results that would revolutionize UTI treatment worldwide.Data that made the differenceWorking with Key Tech, Dr. Al-Adhami's team will soon have an alpha product ready to begin feasibility studies. Shortly afterward, the beta design will enter clinical trials with a planned FDA submission by the second quarter of 2025 — a remarkable four years after the company's founding.“The patients are waiting, right?” Dr. Al-Adhami pointed out. “Luckily, my grandfather is still with us. The goal here is to help with my grandfather's situation, so I need to get this to market as soon as possible.”While Dr. Al-Adhami and co-founder Kevin Tran saw the market need, they needed data from their first prototype to show potential investors. “We ran fifteen samples, and the device was spot on with thirteen of the fifteen. It was like, this works! This is not a bad idea! I was confident enough to raise a pre-seed round. To say, ‘Hey, angel investor, can I have 50K?'”Further market research helped shape pricing and reimbursement models that benefit the company and physicians.“More importantly,” Dr. Al-Adhami said, “the patient is getting better. That makes it sustainable. The idea here is to shorten the [hospital stay]. We did a health economics study. If we shorten the stay [for all patients] by one day, we're saving the hospital — per site — a million dollars a day.”Watch the full video below for more details and to hear Dr. Al-Adhami's advice for MedTech founders. [CC1]From Key Tech/Astek press release [CC2]From Astek's website [CC3]From Key Tech/Astek press release

Aaron Moncur interviews Dylann Ceriani about her career in mechanical engineering and medical devices. They discuss prototype injection molding, material selection, 3D printing applications, and advice for young engineers.Main Topics:Career journey from biomechanics to founding ProtoShopDifferences between production and prototype molding  Cost considerations and timelines for prototype toolingAdvances in medical device development and regulationsTips for minimizing molding costs and selecting materialsAdvice for advocating for yourself and learning from all experiencesAbout the guest: Dylann Ceriani is a distinguished figure in the field of mechanical engineering and the co-founder and principal mechanical engineer at Protoshop Inc. With a rich background in biomechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, Dylann has carved a niche in the medical device industry, showcasing her expertise in product development, particularly in in-vitro diagnostics (IVDs) and orthopedics. Her career spans over 25 years, marked by a deep commitment to innovation, quality, and efficiency in engineering design. At Protoshop, Dylann leads the charge in revolutionizing prototype tooling, emphasizing the replication of production mold quality in prototypes. Her hands-on approach and strength-based leadership have not only advanced medical device product development but also inspired a generation of engineers. Links:Dylann Cerian - LinkedIn ProtoShop Inc WebsiteAbout Being An Engineer The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community. The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us

Designing a successful PCR assay is all about selecting the right primers to deliver the sensitivity and selectivity for which PCR is known for. But anyone that's designed an assay themselves will know that doing so successfully is a lot harder it sounds. We're joined by two PCR assay design pros for this episode. Kimi Soohoo Ong, and Dr. Rounak Feigelman, both from Thermo Fisher Scientific, shine a light on the many factors that must be considered to design a winning PCR assay. From the level of fragmentation of nucleic acids in the sample, to what other species' genomes that may be present in the sample, to what the sample matrix may contain, to the PCR master mix being used, if multiplexing is required, to what assay controls will be, and more!  These two practiced bioinformaticians cover these challenges and then tell us how their team overcomes challenges to develop winning assays for both qPCR and dPCR applications. Our conversation uncovers the level of skill and artistry that goes into this craft. As always, you get to learn a bit more about our guests' backgrounds and career paths in the Cassie's Career Corner portion of the interview. They share how they both chose a bioinformatics path over wet lab work, while also acknowledging how important the wet lab work is to what they do. They also share some great advice and resources for anyone looking to explore a career in bioinformatics. Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System. 

Interview with Maura Kolb, President, and Anna Hicken, VP Exploration of Dryden Gold Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/dryden-gold-tsxvdry-high-grade-gold-results-unlocking-district-4917Recording date: 4th March 2024Dryden Gold (TSXV:DRY) is a gold exploration company focused on discovering a significant high-grade gold deposit in the historic Dryden mining district of northwestern Ontario, Canada. The company has consolidated a strategic 600 sq km land position along the Manitou-Dinorwic deformation zone.Dryden's experienced management and technical team unlock the potential of the underexplored gold district. Their geological model targets high-grade gold mineralization in plunging ore shoots at the intersection of the main shear zone with cross-cutting secondary structures.The company recently completed a winter drill campaign, which successfully extended the mineralized footprint along strike and down-plunge. Assay results are pending and will be released in the coming weeks. In addition, Dryden is actively exploring and generating new targets across its wider land package. Systematic geophysics, geochemistry and prospecting are being employed to define and prioritize drill targets for first-pass testing.Dryden benefits from excellent infrastructure, with direct highway access and nearby mining services. This translates into low-cost, year-round exploration with a minimal environmental footprint. The project is located near the town of Dryden, Ontario, which has a long history of natural resource development. The company maintains strong community relations and is actively engaging with local stakeholders.Dryden is well-funded to advance its exploration plans, having raised $6 million in the last six months through private placements and a go-public transaction. Insiders and institutional investors own over 30% of the company, ensuring strong alignment with shareholders.The market opportunity for new gold discoveries in safe, mining-friendly jurisdictions like Canada is robust. Strong gold prices are driving increased investor interest and capital inflows into the junior gold sector. This is particularly true for companies like Dryden that can demonstrate exploration success and a path to defining a significant gold resource.Dryden Gold represents a compelling investment opportunity in an emerging high-grade gold camp. The company has assembled a district-scale land position, validated a robust geological model, and delivered encouraging drill results. With ongoing drilling and a pipeline of priority targets, Dryden is well-positioned for discovery success and value creation. The company's strong management team, tight share structure, and quality institutional shareholders provide a solid foundation for growth in a rising gold market.View Dryden Gold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/dryden-goldSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Episode: 3014 Measuring Almost Nothing.  Today, we measure almost nothing.

David Murray, M.D., Ph.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' MASS-FIX Quantitation assay provides next-generation screening for M-proteins, which are associated with multiple myeloma and other diseases. The assay better quantitates the blood proteins, for improved patient care and simpler test ordering.(00:32)Could you provide us with a little bit about yourself and your background? (02:56)Would you elaborate on the role of you and the Mayo Clinic team in advancing insights with the use of mass spectrometry and its initial launch? (05:38)Please share about Quantitative MASS-FIX and its specificity, and which patients should have this testing and when it should be performed. (09:42)Is this a more simplified ordering menu? (15:01)Would you elaborate on how this assay supports the IMWG guidelines? (16:01)Are there any closing remarks you would like to add?

By Jane Hirshfield